The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John W. Beckett, Jr. (MCSN: 0-23105), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights On Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands from 28 February to 11 March, 1945, as a tactical air and gunnery observer with a Marine artillery regiment. During this period First Lieutenant Beckett flew twenty missions over enemy territory, often flying in an unarmed, unarmored observation plane at altitudes from one hundred to five hundred feet through anti-aircraft and small arms fire, accurately spotting naval and artillery gunfire on enemy installations. On that date, 4 March, flying at altitudes from four hundred to seven hundred feet, he located an enemy pill box. Adjusting artillery fire on the target, he drove the enemy from its shelter, killing or wounding them with an accurate barrage as they came into the open. His alertness and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.